Abstract [en]

Background:During trauma treatment lots of health personal are mobilized under a short timeframe. The focus lies upon the care of the patient which leads to reduced focus on the nursing care for the relatives. The relatives are in a difficult life situation and in a major need for nursing care. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate the nurses' care for the relatives of trauma patients. Method: This study is a literature review of eleven studies that involves relatives or nurses perceptions of the nursing care provided for the family-members of critically ill trauma patients. The studies were analyzed and categorized into themes and subthemes. Results:A total of three themes emerged. "Communications with the relatives", with subthemes the nurse gives information, nurses' behaviors and accessibility, taking the time to get to know the relatives. "Relatives involvement in care" with the subthemes involving the relatives in care, letting the relatives close to the patient. The last theme was "nurses provide care for the patient" without any subthemes. Conclusion: Information was crucial to the relatives. The nurse had to be calm and accessible to the relatives' needs and when he or she seemed stressed it was considered uncaring for the relatives. The relatives wanted to comfort themselves and the patient by being close to him or her. The subject needs more research especially with focus on what's being done for the relatives of trauma patients.